Brake pad replacement (recommendations)
 

Hi, I have recently worn my brake pads down enough so that my sensor light is going off so I know I need them replaced soon. I'm just looking over some of the pads available off of the parts shop and I'm confused by all the brands and which is best. Can anyone recommend one? OEM or aftermarket? Which type? I really don't want to spend too much but most of them seem to be about the same price.




On a side note, maybe someone could help me with another problem I've had with my brakes. Off and on for probably 4-5 months now, I;ve noticed my brakes do this pulse lock type thing. When I'm traveling at really low speeds like rolling to a stop sign or something and I go to push on the brake, it will make this buzz noise and the pedal will go hard to where I can push on it but it's almost solid and it doesn't stop very fast. I can descibe the pedal feeling as if the pedal was up against a rotating wheel with chunks cut out of it and the wheel is spinning... because I can push down and it just goes solid but then it will like pulse while making the buzzing sound. I don't know, it's kinda hard to explain but it's really obvious and sort of scary.

Another time I notice it is when I seem to lose traction, like on snow if I start to slide or if I hit my brakes so hard on a wet surface that I almost skid, then my brakes do that weird thing and they don't really work which is pretty scary. I'm thinking it might have something to do with ABS but I hope it's not too expensive to fix.

Your suggestions and help is appreciated, thanks.


-Kevin

here in the uk,i usually fit textar or pagid brand brake pads.

we also have an ate brand which good ones.

your other problem is the abs antilock brake system being activated-you describe it as a pulsating action noticed during braking-it is normal to get this pulasation in the snow when traction is low.

why you should get it at low speeds is a bit of a mystery because the bs is only supposed to come on if the car is about to skid due to icy road conditions or other slippery conditions.

hope this helps.

PBR Super Deluxe - no dust!

I personally prefer Textar pads.

I just had the original front brakes replaced on my '98 E320 with 65K miles. Rear brakes still don't need replacement. I used OEM Mercedes pads. I'm very happy with the life of these pads.

Many people swear by only the Mercedes pads. Yes, they do give off a lot of dust on the front wheels, but Kleen Wheels works great for me.

I'm confident there are many threads on this topic in this forum, and there are also many on the Mercedes Benz Club of America forum. On MBCA, most agree that the OEM pads are best and others will give you problems in the future. I cannot confirm this, I'm just repeating what others have said.

Also, my independent auto mechanic who specializes in Mercedes' repairs also did not recommend going with non-OEM brakes. I'm happy with my OEM brake decision.

I would be more concerned about the ABS system than the type pads you use.

You may find yourself in an emergency braking situation on dry pavement and have the ABS falsely limiting your braking. Get that checked out ASAP. I would rather have no ABS at all than have it kicing in without need.

Pagid and Textar pads are both fine. Plenty of stopping resistance and brake dust too.

I just replaced front pads with Textar - very little dust compares with OE pads. The bonus is Textar made in England, PBR is made in Australia and the Deluxe Plus is very little dust too.
I will try to buy car parts and others made in these two countries if they are available. Why ? Because they are our ALLIED in the war with Iraq.

God bless our troops

htn

here in england ,we get textar brand pads for mercs and bmws,

but it is interesting to note that the textar pads ,i replaced on a previous bmw were made in the us and the merc ones replaced last year were made in germany!

we are allied and hope we get rid of sadam soon!

Your abs sensors are either dirty or broken. You'll need to replace these. My car has the same problem, but only happens when the breaks squeal (which is constantly lately). They're a pretty costly part from what I understand...couple hundred dollars.

Matt
94 e320

Before you spend a lot of money at the dealer for a diagnostic, check the tone wheels and sensors for excess rust. The tone wheels look like gears and are behind the brake discs. I had a lot of rust on the tone wheels and rust dust on the sensors. They might me magnetic (?). Anyhow, the problem went away when I cleaned up the rust. Tod

Just replaced OE fronts with PBR Deluxe.

I can honestly say that brake dust accumulation (for whatever the reason is...doesn't stick, not a dark color, etc, whatever) is HUGELY reduced.

The great thing is....braking performance appears to NOT have been reduced in any way I've experienced thus far.

oh....and no addional noise over the OE pads...ie, occasional squeal - very minor when it DOES happen.

So far....fantastic pad!

PBR Deluxe plus are also known as Axxis deluxe plus. Great pads IMHO :D

What's the difference between the Deluxe and the Deluxe Plus? :confused:

I don't know. Asbestos maybe?